323 Persuading A Winged Serpen (1/2)

”Oh, I haven't seen any of those for a few centuries,” Tralon stated. ”Due to them having six wings, their unique, scale-like feathers became an item of great luxury during the initial period of peace following the Godly War. They're extremely endangered and cost a fortune for a single beast.”

”Are there any laws or rulings that wouldn't allow Kims to have one?” asked Jack.

”In this case, no. The laws were mostly placed over the region where you'll find their natural habitat, in Barzdol. They control what you take into the area and what you bring out. But since you've got some hidden away in here, nothing can stop him from holding one,” Tralon explained. ”And if anyone dares to confront Kims about it, his new position in the Leisure Guild will help protect him as we're known for being ancient and unique throughout the continent.”

”And now that we've got three men over lv. 60 and are reopening the ancient vault, the Leisure Guild's level of influence should again rival a kingdom or even the Trodan Council,” Vixus remarked. ”Why else would I agree to join? Maybe if it was just me and Tralon I would've disagreed, but with Kims joining then it became too advantageous of an offer to turn down.”

”I'm just glad you see things clearly and can be dealt with like a proper businessman. If not, things would've gotten dicey back there,” Jack joked, nudging Vixus with his elbow. ”It also helped that we've still got some of Vixus Senpai's old stuff in the vault.”

”That's the main reason I agreed, sure, but finding this… I'm amazed to find such rare beasts thriving so freely!”

”I'm sure that there are still many rare beasts like this in similar situations, locked up or sealed away in hidden dungeons across Kartonia. One day, I'm sure someone will open them up again,” commented Jack. ”Look at Kims go!”

Everyone turned their attention back to the one-armed swordsman, surprised to see him still hanging on after five minutes.

”Kims, do you need any assistance?” Vixus shouted.

”This one will be my companion so stay out of it!”

The party laughed as Vixus sighed. They kept watching the show for another five minutes, amazed to see Kims hold out so long with just one arm.

The Winged Serpent also started to notice that something was different.

Being born within the dungeon was a bit different than being raised outside. That Winged Serpent was lv. 64, not the strongest of his kind within the dungeon but still respectable among his peers in terms of strength. There was still the concept of prey and predator, but there was relative peace between the strongest species as they were placed in different regions of the floor since day one of the dungeon. In reality, the sky floor had developed more into a thriving ecosystem than a dungeon for grinding.

However, after failing to throw the strange beast for ten minutes, the Winged Serpent no longer felt threatened. Whenever it looked back to the creature clinging to its wing the serpent could sense something in the creature's eyes. That Winged Serpent began to feel the respect that Kims had for it and eventually started to develop mutual respect for the strange creature's determination and strength.

Kims refused to attack the beast. He simply held tightly and waited.

The party was forced to patiently stand-by, wondering how things would play out and if Kims could somehow tame such a beast.

”Join me outside.” Kims smiled back to the beast between his heavy breaths. ”Outside you'll be able to fly freely wherever you want.”

Perplexed, the five-meter long beast slowed and squinted back at to Kims. It hissed, wanting to somehow communicate with Kims but finding itself unable.

'Let's go outside and race!'

As a voice echoed in the serpent's mind, it started to look about for the source. That's when it noticed Bowzer below. The Winged Serpent began to descend as it conversed with the fox. 'This outside… What is it?'

'Outside is a world so big that you can go anywhere!' Bowzer happily replied with a nod. 'There you'll be able to fly as high as you want and go wherever you want.'

'As high as I want?' The Winged Serpent hovered above the ground and stared longingly at the false sky above its head. 'What must I do to go to this outside?'

'Join us on our journey! We'll take you there. Just make a seal between you and Kims on your back.'